If our dog is down it can be for multiple reasons, as we will review in this article on our site. A apathy or listlessness of short duration may not be worrying but if we observe that the dog does not improve or presents more symptoms such as anorexia, weakness, drowsiness or vomiting, we should consult with our veterinarian, especially if our dog is a puppy, since they are very delicate and can quickly get worse. We must also be alert if our dog is older or suffers from an already diagnosed disease.
In this way, if you have noticed that your dog is strange, such as sad and crying, or weak, vomiting, having diarrhea or agitated breathing, read on to discover why your dog is down.
Symptoms of decay in dogs
As we have said, a dog that is down can be due to an endless list of causes, so we will focus on pointing out the most common but, first of all, we must know what we mean when we speak of a sick dog. By decay we mean a dog that is still, uninterested in its surroundings and not carrying out its daily activities or carrying them out with reluctance. Other symptoms can be added to this picture that help guide the diagnosis, since decay is a general sign, common in many diseases.
My dog does not want to eat, he is sad and thin
Anorexia is the lack of appetite, that is, in these cases we will observe that the dog is listless and does not want to eat, which can be for different reasons. The first one we can think of is some digestive disorder that makes the dog feel unwell and consequently stops eating. Generally, the situation lasts a few hours and is not complicated by the appearance of more symptoms, but in cases where it does not subside, we should go to the vet, since behind this decay there may be the presence of internal parasites
We must also be careful with the food, because digestive upset can be due to unsuitable food or because the dog has eaten something wrong. Once recovered, the usual thing is for the dog to eat normally again. If this is not the case, to encourage it at first we can resort to moist or homemade food, which is more appetizing.
Other times, the dog is down but eats. In these cases we must observe it because it could be in the initial phases of some disease. In the event of any slight change in his behavior, we should contact the vet
My dog is down and vomiting
A dog that is listless and vomits or has diarrhea may be due to digestive disorders such as those mentioned in the previous section. An intense parasite infestation can cause vomiting and diarrhea, secretions in which we may see worms. Any alteration that affects the digestive tract such as an infection or a foreign body can cause discomfort in the dog, decay and vomiting.
In milder conditions, the condition subsides only in a few hours, but when this is not the case or the symptoms worsen, we must go to our veterinarian to start treatment. If the dog loses fluids in the form of vomiting and/or diarrhea and does not replace them, it runs the risk of becoming dehydrated, especially serious in puppies. These cases may require fluid therapy
My dog is down and won't get up
If our dog is listless and without strength it may be because he is suffering from some illness which will normally be accompanied by other symptoms, in addition to the mentioned. These can be nonspecific, such as an increase in water intake and urination, or already indicative of specific conditions, such as jaundice, which is the yellowish coloration of the mucous membranes that occurs in liver problems.
Tests such as blood or urine tests can help us locate the affected organ. But a dog that is listless, trembles and is weak may be manifesting some neurological, muscular or bone injury, which causes pain and instability. In these cases, it is normal to notice that the dog is down and cries For example, in older dogs it may be due to aarthrosis , but in a puppy we could be facing a case of distemper, in which we will observe other symptoms such as fever, cough and runny nose. Care must be taken because tremors in dogs also appear in cases of poisoning , in which it is easy for us to also see hypersalivation or incoordination. It is a veterinary emergency that requires immediate attention.
Check our article on distemper in dogs and review all the symptoms, since if your dog is listless and drooling, it may be this pathology.
My dog is down and sleeps a lot
If a dog is down and sleeps a lot, it may be convenient to check him, checking his temperature, the color of his mucous membranes and his breathing, to make sure he is not in a state of shock and responds correctly to stimuli. If the dog is cold, breathing with difficulty or his mucous membranes have lost their pink coloration, we must go to the veterinarian immediately.
We should know that it is normal for puppies to sleep a lot, just like older dogs, who sleep more during the day and less at night. But if this dream is accompanied by decay, we should always notify our veterinarian. In a puppy could be indicating some parasite problem In a geriatric animal it is normal for us to observe a drop in activity but if this is accompanied by decay or some other symptom we will have to go to the vet, because it could be suffering from someheart, kidney or liver disease , more common in older dogs.
